When you lose a pet it can be a distressing experience for both of you.
Below are some tips that we hope will help you find your pet.
Take prescautions & be pro active
Firstly, try to make sure your pet is safe and secure BEFORE you leave them alone. Make sure your dog / cat is wearing a collar with an ID tag. It’s a lot easier for someone to phone you to say they’ve found your pet if they are carrying your contact details on them.
Get mirco chipped
Always have your dog microchipped and registered! This is a huge help in making sure they will be returned to you if they ever go missing.
Keep records up to date
Remember to update microchip information with the council, vets and the national microchip database if you move to a new house.
Don’t just register locally
The New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR) is New Zealand’s largest database of microchipped animals and has the sole purpose of helping more lost pets get home. For more information visit animalregister.co.nz
Pictures
Keep an up to date photo of your animal which can be used / posted online if your pet should go missing.
If you do lose your pet
Tell the authorities
If you pet does go missing contact local animal shelters and animal control agencies. In the Bay of Islands Area that would be the Far North District Council, the SPCA and ourselves.
Don’t forget to contact your local vets as lost animals are often handed into vet clinics by the public.
Remember to provide everyone with an accurate description and a recent photograph of your pet. Notify the police if you believe your pet was stolen.
Search the area
Search your local neighbourhood either on foot or by car and speak to your neighbours in case they may have seen something.
Get Online
Use the internet, Facebook groups can be a very effective way to contact a large number of local people to let them know your pet is missing.
Advertise
Post notices up around the local area, try place that get a lot of people coming through like grocery stores, doctors, schools and community centers, etc. Include a photo and a good description of your pet.
Don’t give up
Don’t give up your search. Animals who have been lost for months have been reunited with their owners.